Maryland Republicans Demand Review of State Voter Rolls, Citing Security Concerns
ANNAPOLIS, MD – A group of Maryland Republican lawmakers are calling for a comprehensive review of the state’s voter rolls, raising concerns about potential inaccuracies and vulnerabilities ahead of the 2024 elections. The demand comes as election integrity remains a key issue nationally, and follows similar calls for audits in other states.
The lawmakers, members of the Maryland Freedom Caucus, argue that regular maintenance and verification of voter lists are crucial to ensuring fair and secure elections. They point to the potential for outdated registrations, duplicate entries, and ineligible voters to undermine public trust in the electoral process. This push for review arrives as Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is currently engaged in legal battles with the federal government over access to state data, including Medicaid and food stamp rolls, to prevent potential immigration enforcement efforts.
“Maintaining accurate voter rolls is a fundamental duty of state government,” said a statement released by the Freedom Caucus. “We owe it to Maryland voters to ensure that every eligible citizen can cast a ballot, and that the integrity of our elections is beyond reproach.”
The lawmakers are requesting that the State Board of Elections conduct a thorough audit, comparing voter registration data with other state and federal databases to identify and remove ineligible voters. They also advocate for increased collaboration with other states to share facts and prevent individuals from registering to vote in multiple locations.
While the State Board of Elections routinely updates voter rolls through processes like the National Change of Address database and removals for deceased individuals,Republicans contend these measures are insufficient.They are advocating for more proactive and comprehensive verification methods.
The call for a review is likely to spark debate, with Democrats perhaps arguing against measures they perceive as voter suppression.Though, proponents maintain their focus is solely on ensuring the accuracy and security of the voter rolls, not disenfranchising eligible voters.The State Board of Elections has not yet responded to the Freedom Caucus’s request.